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June 16, 2010

What Would Reagan Have Said Tonight?

 

 

Today, even liberal MSNBC bemoaned the lack of “executive command” while using Jimmy Carter – well remembered for his equivocation – as a standard that should not have been too difficult for anyone to surpass. Such things always invite one to wonder what the great Ronald Reagan would have said – or more importantly, done – in response to the gulf crisis, economic crisis, and the growing national security crisis.

 

If Ronald Reagan were to have addressed the nation tonight, he would certainly have done so far differently than the current occupant of the White House. He would address the oil crisis (if there were one), as well as the good news on the economic front; by this time in his presidency in 1982 lower taxes and deregulation had already pulled the country into real recovery, and equally importantly, the American people were beginning to feel proud again to be Americans, rather than being constantly lectured to (and about) as though we were the world’s red-headed step-child. So without further ado, the Gipper in what could have been his own words, were we so fortunate:

 

In the weeks that followed that horrible disaster aboard the Deepwater Horizon that claimed 11 lives, we have worked steadily with state and local officials to stop the flow of oil into the gulf along with deploying every tool and erecting every obstacle humanly possible to mitigate that flow into our estuaries, our wetlands, and onto our beaches. 12 countries, including Great Britain and Germany and our neighbors Canada and Mexico have also offered their generous help in expediting the cleanup. I have personally taken the responsibility of ensuring the Coast Guard and all of our local officials and volunteers have everything that they need in order to protect the habitats and livelihoods of those who live and work along the Gulf.

 

So far, this has met with great success and I am happy to report our hard work has turned what might otherwise have been the worst ecological disaster in human history into a contained spill that is daily diminished.

 

At some point, fairly soon, we will have most of this behind us and we will, as you might imagine, be faced with a few important questions. Namely, how is it ecologically better to drill in deep waters where such accidents are far more difficult to contain than it would be to drill in shallower water or on land? With this in mind, in the course of the next few days, I will be signing a series of executive orders freeing up vast amounts of unused federal land and shallow water areas where we know oil is plentiful.  Speaker Boehner has also promised legislation, which I will sign, ensuring state and federal authorities work together in the national interest to safeguard our economic vibrancy and national security. While we must behave responsibly and in a manner that is ecologically sound, we can and must do so in a way that does not do harm to Americans, who happen to be the most ecologically-conscious people on earth.

 

We achieved much over the last 57 days because we are Americans and that is how Americans confront their challenges. A free people, unshackled from the constraints of an overbearing bureaucracy retain both the spirit and the economic resources to move quickly and solve significant problems in challenging times. It may seem like pointing out the obvious, but no one knows better the need for stopping the oil spill than those living in the gulf who lie in its direct path. Once again, it is you the American people, not the government, who have demonstrated that you hold the key to solving this problem, and solving it you are.

 

President Reagan would also most certainly address issues surrounding the Cold War with our enemy China (rather than pretend it doesn’t exist), condemn Russian support for terrorism, along with a host of other issues and events around the world of great import long neglected.

 

Assuming Iran would have the temerity to for a moment seriously consider sending naval ships to escort the terrorist flotilla into Israeli waters, the United States would do what is obvious to most by telling Iran that it would not be permitted.

 

President Reagan might tell the Iranians something along these lines,

 

We will not stand idly by and watch as one of our closest allies is provoked or attacked; Mr. Ahmadinejad, we cannot allow your navy or any of your sponsored belligerents to enter Israeli waters as you seek to draw Israel into direct conflict. Today, I have given orders to our navy to be at the ready, to assist our friends the Israelis, and to ensure Iran abides by the international desire for peace and stability in the region. I have ordered a carrier strike group – including our newest carrier the USS Barry M. Goldwater – to the area in order to ensure Iran’s cooperation.

 

They are sad times when crisis hits (as it inevitably does), but even sadder when the ship of state’s crew is asleep at the helm as we drift and take on water into the night. Perhaps we will see greatness again sooner rather than later; perhaps we will be so blessed to have such a great man (or woman) once again called to the forefront in our time. We can certainly pray.

 

 

Martin recently completed an internship with the London-based Henry Jackson Society and is presently working on his Master's in National Security Studies. He holds a BA in International Relations. Prior to his time in London, he spent several months in Washington, D.C., where he attended several events, toured the White House, Capitol, and Pentagon. He is a member of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, the World Affairs Council, and United Nations Association.

Posted by Martin at June 16, 2010 01:00 AM

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